About
The character 豺 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 豸 (zhì) classifies it as a beast or predatory animal, while 才 (cái) provides the phonetic element. It refers specifically to the dhole, a wild Asian dog, or more broadly to a jackal-like canine. Metaphorically, it describes cruel or ravenous individuals, often combined with wolf in the compound 豺狼 to denote vicious people. The beast radical correctly places it among predatory mammals and underpins its figurative meanings of ferocity.
Etymology Hide
